The Story of the River

A Traveler, walking along a winding path through a dense and isolated forest, came upon a river that had once flowed deep and freely. Looking upstream and downstream, the Traveler could see markings along the landscape revealing that this had once been a powerful river.

Now the water moved slowly, pooling in places and churning in others. Fallen branches, rocks, and years of accumulated debris had changed its course, carving finger-like paths into the riverbank that led only to dead ends.

Looking at the scene, the Traveler assumed the river had lost its way.

“River, did you forget your way? Why would you do this to yourself?”

The Traveler was startled by a quiet voice from behind. The Traveler turned to see an Elder standing nearby, quiet and patient.

“The river hasn’t forgotten where to go.”

The Traveler blinked in surprise. “I’m sorry. What did you say?”

The Elder repeated quietly, “The river hasn’t forgotten where to go.”

Puzzled, the Traveler asked, “Then why doesn’t it flow?”

“Because something is preventing it from doing what it naturally does.”

The Traveler considered this for a moment before offering a solution.

“Then we should force it back into its course. We could dig a new channel, shore the banks, and direct the water until we reconnect it farther downstream.”

The Elder’s response was immediate and commanding.

“No.”

Once again puzzled, the Traveler asked, “Why not?”

The Elder responded with a hint of a smile.

“Because if you force it, you may create a path that was never its own.”

The Elder looked toward the river.

“Remove the debris. Then watch where the river chooses to flow.”